BOYBAND One Direction sent 500 fans into a screaming frenzy when they arrived at a Birmingham store to sign copies of their new book.

BOYBAND One Direction sent 500 fans into a screaming frenzy when they arrived at a Birmingham store to sign copies of their new book.

Lucky 16-year-old Thalia Egan won her place at the front of the queue through her mum Tracy taking part in a Birmingham Mail competition.

Excited and shaking with nerves, the Aldridge schoolgirl was whisked away for a private meeting with her idols moments before the boys appeared before the rest of the crowd on the shop floor.

Harry, chewing gum and dressed in green tweed, Niall, Zain, Louis and Wolverhampton teenager Liam then hugged and kissed their way through the line-up, at WHSmith in the city centre yesterday.

Thalia, who wants to become a beauty therapist, said: “Before they came out I was really excited and crying, then when they came out I was screaming. Then they came along and signed their book. I gave three of them a hug – I never thought I’d be able to do that. They’re amazing.

“They were asking if I was ok and everything. I was like ‘yeah’. I couldn’t really say much because I was really shaky.”

Thalia said she asked her favourite Zain for a hug.

“He said ‘yeah sure’. He’s got a really nice smile.”

Fans – some with the boys’ names written on their faces – chanted as they waited their turn. The band released their book, Forever Young, yesterday and chose Birmingham for their first book signing as the X Factor tour starts at the LG Arena tomorrow.

Hannah Kendrick, aged 16 and from Tamworth, who is going to see them again at the show on Sunday, said: “I was determined to meet them this year. During school I had these moments where I was thinking ‘oh my God they’re going to be right in front of me’.”

Her friend Emily Driscoll, also 16 and from Tamworth, was smitten with 17-year-old Liam.